By admin 
When the Las Vegas Raiders step onto the field at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, a new era will begin for the franchise. It should be built on discipline, a focus on the future, and getting competitive play from their top players while maintaining the status quo of a rebuilding season.
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Head coach Klint Kubiak and general manager John Spytek have built a roster with serious flaws, but it’s already better on paper, with an offensive system that fits with the current personnel beautifully. For this group, the Raiders kick off against the Miami Dolphins with a mindset of competing for wins and learning at full effort, something Raider Nation should be appreciative of.
A Long-Term Extension Showcases New Era
On Saturday, the Raiders did something they haven’t done in a while: extend a player from one of their previous draft classes. Tight end Michael Mayer, entering the final year of his deal, received a three-year, $45 million contract before the regular season kicked off on Sunday. This shows they’re doing the right thing by keeping key building blocks in the organization.
Is Michael Mayer one of the league’s best tight ends? No, he isn’t even the best on his own team (hello, Brock Bowers). Yet, with Bowers out for at least the next game or two, Mayer has shown a skill set that would make him a No. 1 tight end on roughly 60 percent of teams in the NFL, especially with his blocking ability.
Taking care of your own builds trust within the organization and helps players feel comfortable when it comes to contracts, especially top players. When you’re a team in a rebuild, keeping the ones who have grown into key personnel on either side of the ball puts your program in good standing when free agency rolls around.
Sunday Is Far From Final Product
And we have to keep one thing in mind with the Raiders this weekend: this is far from the final product, even 17 weeks from now, when they play in Kansas City in the season finale. We’ll be getting a glimpse at the future of the organization when quarterback Fernando Mendoza makes his highly anticipated debut for Las Vegas, and we’ll also get a look at some of the new pieces on the roster, from rookies to free-agent acquisitions.
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The ceiling for this team is much higher than some believe-eight wins could be a reality, but the real one is likely a slight or legitimate improvement in the win-loss column, battling every game and hoping to at least stay competitive against some of the league’s best teams such as Seattle, Los Angeles, Denver, and Buffalo.
On Sunday, look for what the Raiders are setting their foundation for based on the system they’re running on offense and defense. From there, the team can grow, and the season could bring some exciting moments because of it.
Enjoy Week 1, whether it is a 10-point win or a 20-point defeat. The Raiders are on the right path; you just need enough patience to let it play out.
Today’s best reads
- Why the Raiders Hold Advantage in Rebuild Showdown
- Raiders Mailbag: Understanding the Roster Through a Rebuild
- Top Questions That Will Be Answered in Raiders Season Opener
- Grading Every Major Roster Decision Made by Raiders
- Raiders Mailbag: Silver and Black Fans Demand Competency
This article was originally published on www.si.com/nfl/raiders/onsi as Why Sunday vs. Dolphins Provides Raiders Building Blocks For Future.
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Read more Raiders Extend TE Michael Mayer: Why It’s a Gigantic Deal
This story was originally published September 13, 2026 at 3:30 AM.